Football

Millen wants new Palace manager in place quickly

Crystal Palace interim manager Keith Millen knows time is running out for the club to install a new permanent figurehead and boost the squad following the Eagles’ second consecutive loss of the season at home to West Ham.

Millen is taking care of first team affairs while the wait continues for Tony Pulis’ successor to be unveiled, but acknowledged it needs to be sorted sooner rather than later with the transfer window soon to shut.

“The last couple of days the chairman has left me to really concentrate on the game today and that’s what we’ve done,” said Millen.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do but we’ll speak to the chairman tomorrow and see what his thoughts are going forward.

“We’ve spoken all week because it’s coming to the deadline now and we haven’t appointed anyone yet.

“We know what we need, what positions - we’ve got a list of players that the chairman knows and he’s working on it.”

Millen was just as surprised at recent events in SE25 and admitted it had affected the preparation for today’s London derby against the Hammers.

“It’s been a shock to everyone with Tony leaving and obviously the situation on Tuesday/Wednesday with Malky, so it’s been a tough week for the club.

“But I don't think finding a new manager is going to drag on.

“Once we appoint a new manager it will be a fresh start and we’ll have a new direction on where we want to go.

“We've still got a good group of players - the majority of players from last year and we’ve actually strengthened.

“If we can bring some new players in before Monday (September 1) we’ll have a decent squad to move forward.”